Loftus Day is a tradition unique to our Lansing Rotary Club. Every year at a September meeting, a Rotarian who has passed away during the year is honored. After an abbreviated meeting, if they so choose Rotarians visit and lay flowers at assigned grave sites of deceased Lansing Rotarians.
It’s a tradition that began in 1924 when club member Frank Loftus brought a bouquet of fresh garden flowers to the regular meeting of the club. Afterwards, he took the flowers to the grave of Charles W. Nichols, a past Rotary president who had recently died. The custom grew in an informal manner and when Loftus died four years later, the official Frank Loftus Day Memorial Service was held- a cherished Lansing Rotary Club tradition that each September honors deceased club members who are buried in the Lansing area.
It’s a time to remember, pay respect, and reflect on the many dedicated people who contributed not just to our club, but to the causes they’ve helped to support throughout our history, ranging from local charities to Rotary’s international outreach.
How Do I Participate?
* A few weeks before Loftus Day, you will be sent the names of the members who are in your group, who the leader of the group is, and the assigned gravesites. The sites will all be in the same general area in the same cemetery. Your group and cemetery remains the same every year. At the end of the Rotogram, beneath "DOWNLOAD FILES" is the Loftus Day Committees for 2015. This will give you the names of the Chairs and each Rotarian in the committee with the gravesites. If you have any questions, contact cathy@lansingrotary.com
* Contact your group leader about the group’s plans for visiting the sites. Some visit the sites sometime during the week preceding the meeting. Most will visit the sites after the meeting on Loftus Day.
* Some members bring flowers from their gardens and some order flowers which will be on a table for you to pick up at the meeting. Smith Floral 484-5327 and Rick Anthony (Rick Anthony Flowers) 484-5387. Containers for the flowers will also be on the table for you to take.
*On Loftus Day, there will be maps on the table showing the location of your assigned cemetery. The first year it is helpful to have an experienced group member describe where to meet in the cemetery.
*After an abbreviated meeting, your group will meet at your assigned site.
If you have an international project that you would like to have considered for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, then submit your proposal for funding following the outline set forth below. We are looking for a one to two page narrative that responds to the outline, plus a project budget. Your total submission should not exceed three pages. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than November 1st, 2015. Please submit your proposal via e-mail to: jdubey.wellnessdirector@gmail.com or Umakanth@GoSymbiosis.com.
Project Significance
a. What area of need will the project address (ie: food, shelter, clothing, education, health, or environmental issues)?
b. Who are the intended beneficiaries?
c. Provide a one paragraph summary of the project.
d. State any benchmarks or measurable outcomes.
Project Administration
a. Name the Lansing Rotary Club Member who will sponsor and manage the project for our Club. [This person must be willing to attend international committee meetings and be the champion for this project].
b. Name any state-side organizations or entities that are willing to assist in implementing and monitoring the project.
c. Is there a Rotary Club in the project area willing to assist in implementing the project?
d. Who are the contacts at the project site?
e. Are other Rotary Clubs in the Lansing area considering this same project?
Project Implementation
a. Will the beneficiaries take an active part in implementing the project?
b. Who will monitor the project?
c. What is the implementation time frame?
Project Budget
a. Attach the detailed budget for this Project, including the proposed funding sources (e.g. Private donations, Rotary District grants).
b. Identify which funding sources have already committed funds to this project’s proposed budget?
c. What amount are you requesting be funded by the Rotary Club of Lansing? [Please be aware that prior grant awards are in the range of $500 to $3000
d. In the event that we are unable to fund your full request, please list priority items with dollar amounts.
Project Organization/Entity
a. State the legal name of the organization/entity who would receive the funds.
b. Is this a 501(c)(3 organization, church, school, governmental unit, or Rotary Club?
Loftus Day is a tradition unique to our Lansing Rotary Club. Every year at a September meeting, a Rotarian who has passed away during the year is honored. After an abbreviated meeting, if they so choose Rotarians visit and lay flowers at assigned grave sites of deceased Lansing Rotarians.
